Mary Beth White is a shareholder in the firm’s Nashville office.  She is Chair of the Transportation Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. Ms. White focuses her practice on commercial and business litigation, with a particular emphasis on commercial transportation. Ms. White has achieved success at all levels of the court system, representing clients in both state and federal courts. She has defended a wide-range of clients, including large, medium, and small motor carriers, brokers, public transit systems, and drivers. Ms. White played an instrumental role in implementing the firm’s rapid response program, which is used to protect clients’ interests 24/7 in the event of an accident. Additionally, Ms. White frequently advises motor carrier clients on carrier and intermediary agreements, independent contractor and leasing issues, and regulatory compliance.  In 2020, Ms. White was invited to join the American College of Transportation Attorneys, a small group of attorneys across the country devoted to the defense of transportation companies.

Ms. White was a member and captain of the Lady Bulldog basketball team of Union University that advanced to the NAIA Final Four and earned Academic All-American honors.

AFFILIATIONS

• American Bar Association
• American Law Firm Association (“ALFA”), Transportation Practice Group
• Nashville Bar Association
• Tennessee Bar Association
• Trucking Industry Defense Association

 PROFESSIONAL HONORS AND ACTIVITIES

• Best Lawyers®, 2022 and 2026 Transportation Law “Lawyer of the Year” Nashville
• Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC) (invitation only), 2022
• American College of Transportation Attorneys (“ACTA”) (invitation only), 2020 – current
• Leadership Team, American Law Firm Association(“ALFA”), Transportation Practice Group, 2020 – current
• Who’s Who in America, 2019
• American Bar Association Torts and Trial Insurance Practice Section, Leadership Academy, 2016-2017
• Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2014 – 2017
• Named to The Best Lawyers in America®, Transportation Law
• Graduate, Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law Class, 2012
• Nashville Business Journal’s “Top 40 under 40″, 2012
• Recipient, “Top 30 under 30″ honoring emerging leaders in Nashville, 2011
• Graduate, ABA TIPS National Trial Academy, 2010
• Faculty, ABA TIPS National Trial Academy, 2011 – 2016

 COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Ms. White is active in many civic and charitable organizations in the community. She serves as a board member for the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  She also volunteers with Preston Taylor Ministries, an inner-city ministry based in West Nashville. She is an active member of West End Community Church and a member of the Junior League of Nashville.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Following a five-day trial in the United States District Court for the Middle Tennessee District, presided over by Judge Eli Richardson, the trial team of Mary Beth White, Paige Bernick, Alex Daichman, and our clients was awarded a defense verdict. Pretrial, the team successfully excluded unreliable evidence that extensive medical expenses were reasonable and necessary. During the plaintiff’s case in chief, Mary Beth White masterfully cross-examined the plaintiff over the course of two days. Then, after proof (and multiple unexpected evidentiary hurdles), the jury found no fault with our driver.

The trial team of Mary Beth White and Kaitlyn Phillips achieved an outstanding trial victory in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Chattanooga Division, before Judge Travis R. McDonough.  The case arose from a sideswipe collision between a passenger vehicle and a tractor-trailer near Chattanooga. While the defendants admitted liability for the accident, the case was vigorously contested on the issues of causation, injuries, and damages.  The defense team challenged the causation opinions offered by the plaintiffs’ treating physicians, arguing that the medical treatment at issue was attorney-driven, lien-based care and was not founded on a complete review of the evidence. The plaintiffs sought $650,000 in damages.  After deliberations, the jury returned a verdict finding that the plaintiffs were entitled to no damages.

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